One of the top two winners honored by DonorNation.org recently during a School Volunteer of the Year Awards Ceremony was Dede Quint, a staunch volunteer at George Dewey Elementary in Point Loma. For her volunteerism, Quint was named first runner-up in the awards, second only to the grand-prize winner from Oceanside High School.

As a result of her award, DonorNation gave $2,500 to Dewey Elementary in Quint’s name. She also earned six months’ worth of free groceries from Sprouts Farmers Market, and a one-year subscription from the La Jolla Playhouse to view the mainstage productions for the 2013/2014 season and an in-school performance of the Playhouse’s touring show for children or tickets to a student matinee.

For more information, visit www.donornation.org and look for the School Volunteer of the Year Award link.

PLHS alum wins best of show in Fair photo exhibit

John Connolly Johnson, a Point Loma resident and graduate of Point Loma High, won best of show at the 2013 San Diego County Fair Exhibition of Photography. The international juried exhibition received about 4,000 entries this year.

Johnson’s winning image, titled “Three Palms,” was captured right along the coast of San Diego.

“I am very passionate about creating unique images of our local area,” said Johnson, a longtime Peninsula resident who has worked many years as a commercial photographer and has recently shifted his focus toward creating fine art and exhibiting his prints and images.

The photography exhibition is one of the largest juried photography shows in the country and the judges select only about one-third of the total entries for display. The exhibition is located on the 2nd floor of the east grandstand.

This year’s Fair closes July 4.

Local Realtor goes green with electric business car

Anne Herrin, a Point Loma real-estate agent and resident, has joined the green movement by acquiring an all-electric vehicle for use in her real-estate business. After studying her auto use, she realized 90 percent of her business was within the range of a zero emission electric car.

“The majority of my business with clients is conducted locally within the 80-mile range of the electric vehicle I chose,” said Herrin. “My car, the Honda Fit EV, is very roomy and comfortable inside, plus has great performance. I think my clients will enjoy its features and quiet ride.”

Honda is only offering 1,000 Honda Fit EV electric vehicles in a few select states. The Fit EV has an e-mpg rating of 118 miles per gallon and can recharge in three hours, she said.

“With the stop-and-go driving required in showing houses to my clients, my gas mileage really suffered,” Herrin said. “I look forward to driving in our neighborhoods in a quiet, exhaust-free vehicle. My office is in Liberty Station, and the installation of [19] new charging stations outside of the Vons market makes it an ideal fit for me.

“I’ll still keep my SUV in the garage, and make it available for use for those clients with larger families or those with special requirements,” she said. “I have only had the Fit EV a short time, and everyone who has had an opportunity to ride in it has been very impressed. This car is so fun to drive and it feels great to be helping the environment.”

The new Blink Network electric vehicle charging-stations at Liberty Station include 10 in the main Vons market parking area and nine others located near Ace Hardware. They will be available for public use in the coming weeks. To find other area charging stations, visit the Department of Energy’s website at www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_locations.html.